Dashain: The Greatest Festival

In Butwal, a vibrant city in the Lumbini Zone of Nepal, Dashain stands out as the most significant and widely celebrated festival. Known locally as Bada Dashain or Bijaya Dashami, it brings families together, fills markets with life, and marks a cultural heartbeat that almost everyone here participates in, regardless of caste or background.

Brief History 

Dashain traces its origins to Hindu mythology. It celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. It also celebrates Lord Ram’s victory over Ravan, as told in the Ramayana. The festival was historically patronised by the kings of Nepal, who received tika and blessings from the royal priest as a sign of divine sanction to rule. Over centuries, it evolved from a royal ritual into a national and community festival celebrated by Hindus across Nepal and the Nepali diaspora.

People Involved

Dashain is truly a community festival. It involves every generation of a household. Elders play the central role by giving tika, a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion, and jamara, barley grass grown in dark rooms for 10 days, as blessings to younger family members. Children and youth travel long distances to return to their ancestral homes, often called mamaghar or ghar. Neighbours, extended relatives, and even distant friends visit each other’s homes to exchange tika and blessings. In Butwal, local clubs and tol sudhar samiti organise community swings called ping, and cultural programs, so the whole neighbourhood gets involved.

Major Activities

The festival spans 15 days, but the most important are Ghatasthapana, Phulpati, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijaya Dashami. 

• Ghatasthapana (Day 1): Jamara is planted in a holy water pot in the prayer room.
• Phulpati (Day 7): Sacred flowers, banana stalks, and sugarcane are brought from Gorkha Durbar to Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu, and locally, people bring phulpati into their homes. 
• Maha Ashtami & Navami (Day 8 & 9): Animals like goats, buffaloes, and ducks are sacrificed in temples dedicated to Durga, especially at local shrines like the Manakamana Mandir and Narainthan. Families who don’t sacrifice animals offer coconuts, pumpkins, or eggs instead.
• Vijaya Dashami (Day 10): The main day. Younger family members receive tika and jamara from elders along with dakshina money blessings. People dress in new clothes, fly kites from rooftops, play on tall bamboo swings, and feast on mutton, sel roti, and other sweets.
• Kojagrat Purnima (Day 15): The festival ends with worship of Goddess Laxmi for prosperity.

In Butwal’s bazaars, the weeks before Dashain are the busiest of the year. Streets are packed with people shopping for clothes, food, and gifts. The sound of malshree dhun playing in shops signals that Dashain has arrived.

Religious and Social Importance

Religiously, Dashain reinforces faith in divine power and the moral order that good ultimately defeats evil. The tika ritual renews family hierarchies and respect for elders. Socially, it’s the biggest annual family reunion. For many migrant workers in India, the Gulf, or Kathmandu, Dashain is the one time of year they return home. It strengthens community bonds as people visit neighbours, forgive past grievances, and share food. The festival also drives the local economy; farmers sell goats, tailors work overtime, and transport businesses see peak demand.

Duration

Formally, Dashain lasts 15 days from Ghatasthapana to Kojagrat Purnima. However, in practice, the celebration starts a month early with shopping and house cleaning, and tika exchanges continue for five days after Vijaya Dashami so all relatives can be visited. Schools and government offices in Butwal close for about 10-12 days.

Drawbacks

Despite its joy, Dashain has several drawbacks. The mass animal sacrifice is criticised by animal rights groups and younger people who see it as cruel. The pressure to buy new clothes, give dakshina, and host feasts creates financial strain for low-income families, sometimes pushing them into debt. Gambling with cards (taas) becomes common in many tols, occasionally leading to disputes. Road accidents spike due to increased travel and drinking. Environmental issues also arise from waste left by fairs and the haphazard disposal of sacrifice remains.

Still, for most people in Butwal, Dashain is more than a festival. It’s a reminder of home, heritage, and hope. The swings may be taken down and the jamara may wither, but the blessings and reunions carry people through the year until Dashain returns.